Grayville school board will seek input from students and staff before setting the calendar

Deer day or no deer day?

That was the question confronting the Grayville School Board at its monthly meeting Feb. 20-and they passed on a decision.

A vote on next year's school calendar was tabled as the board seeks additional input on the length of Thanksgiving break and whether or not to include a day out of school at the start of shotgun deer season.

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By Patrick Seil

The Carmi Times - Carmi, IL

By Patrick Seil

Posted Mar. 6, 2013 at 6:00 PM

By Patrick Seil

Posted Mar. 6, 2013 at 6:00 PM

Grayville

Deer day or no deer day?

That was the question confronting the Grayville School Board at its monthly meeting Feb. 20-and they passed on a decision.

A vote on next year's school calendar was tabled as the board seeks additional input on the length of Thanksgiving break and whether or not to include a day out of school at the start of shotgun deer season.

The calendar presented to the board by Supt. Sarah Emery was favored by a majority of the staff-on a margin of one vote.

Board President Charles May questioned the wisdom of dismissing school for the entire week before and after Thanksgiving, which coincides with the Grayville Thanksgiving Invitational Tournament, also known as the "Turkey Tourney."

"I think that will cause us some headaches," May said. Being out the full week, then back for two, then out again for Christmas break "seems a little excessive," he added.

"The ones of us who have to work (at the tournament) will be here," Emery said.

Wells Elementary School Principal Dr. Melissa Crow said employees "who have to work were the ones who suggested it." Working the tournament after a full work schedule makes for a "long day," she said.

"I don't have a problem with it," said board member Robin Garwood, of the Thanksgiving break.

Still, May was unconvinced. "I don't care for this calendar," he said.

Emery said both proposed calendars eliminate deer day. Emery said the thinking was students who want to go hunting can use one of their five unexcused absence days, and fewer students are hunting than previously.

Board member Greg Bisch worried the district could lose state aid because of decreased attendance on the first day of deer season. State aid is apportioned on the basis of average daily attendance.

"Several staff members came to me and they felt we don't have that many kids taking off," Emery said.

Bisch recommended seeking additional input from students and staff, and May tabled the issue. "I just want a calendar next month," he said.

The board voted to spend approximately $1,100 to repair a drain line at Wells School in the kitchen area.

The line was cracked and had a slow leak. The custodians temporarily repaired the line, but a permanent fix is needed, Emery said. The line is emitting an odor and the Egyptian Health Department passed on writing up the district for a violation since a plan to remedy the situation was in place.

Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Tommi Rock as junior high softball coach, Student Council advisor, homecoming sponsor and morning duty hall supervisor. Rock remains a full-time special education teacher and high school guidance counselor.

Page 2 of 2 - The board voted to reprogram the phone system to record messages regarding transportation changes and absent students. The move will alleviate demands on the district's secretarial staff, Emery said.

In other business undertaken during a 25-minute open session:

• Crow said a pizza party is being planned for students who attend all days of ISAT testing in March. Pre-kindergarten registration will be held March 7 and 8, and a family night will be held at the school on March 27.

• Emery noted a high school baseball fundraiser cookout will be held March 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wells cafeteria and the high school play will be held March 8 and 9. Johnathon Johnson of the Grayville Ministerial Association hopes to put together a student recognition dinner prior to baccalaureate, she added.

• And Crow reported that Sherry and Sharon Brendel made an in-kind donation of a six-disc CD player to the pre-kindergarten program.